Proverbs 16

1 People make plans in their hearts. But the LORD controls what they say.

2 Everything a man does might seem right to him. But the LORD knows what that man is thinking.

3 Commit to the LORD everything you do. Then your plans will succeed.

4 The LORD works everything out for his own purposes. Even those who do wrong were made for a day of trouble.

5 The LORD hates all those who have proud hearts. You can be sure that they will be punished.

6 Through love and truth sin is paid for. People avoid evil when they have respect for the Lord.

7 When the way you live pleases the Lord, he makes even your enemies live at peace with you.

8 It is better to have a little and do right than to have a lot and be unfair.

9 In your heart you plan your life. But the LORD decides where your steps will take you.

10 A king might speak as if his words come from God. But what he says should not turn right into wrong.

11 Honest scales and balances come from the Lord. He made all of the weights in the bag.

12 A king hates it when his people do what is wrong. A ruler is made secure when they do what is right.

13 Kings are pleased when what you say is honest. They value people who speak the truth.

14 An angry king can order your death. But a wise man will try to calm him down.

15 When a king's face is happy, it means life. His favor is like rain in the spring.

16 It is much better to get wisdom than gold. It is much better to choose understanding than silver.

17 The path of honest people takes them away from evil. Those who guard their ways guard their lives.

18 If you are proud, you will be destroyed. If you are proud, you will fall.

19 Suppose you are lowly in spirit and are with those who are beaten down. That's better than sharing stolen goods with those who are proud.

20 If anyone pays attention to what he is taught, he will succeed. Blessed is the person who puts his trust in the Lord.

21 Wise hearts are known for understanding what is right. Pleasant words make people want to learn more.

22 Understanding is like a fountain of life to those who have it. But foolish people are punished for the foolish things they do.

23 The hearts of wise people guide their mouths. Their words make people want to learn more.

24 Pleasant words are like honey. They are sweet to the spirit and bring healing to the body.

25 There is a way that may seem right to a man. But in the end it leads to death.

26 The hunger of a worker makes him work. His hunger drives him on.

27 A worthless man plans to do evil things. His words are like a burning fire.

28 A twisted person stirs up fights. Anyone who talks about others comes between close friends.

29 A man who wants to hurt others tries to get them to sin. He leads them down a path that isn't good.

30 When he winks with his eyes, he is planning to do wrong. When his lips are tightly closed, he is up to no good.

31 Gray hair is a glorious crown. You get it by living the right way.

32 It is better to be patient than to fight. It is better to control your temper than to take a city.

33 Lots are cast into the lap to make decisions. But everything they decide comes from the Lord.

Proverbs 16 Commentary

Chapter 16

Verse 1 The renewing grace of God alone prepares the heart for every good work. This teaches us that we are not sufficient of ourselves to think or speak any thing wise and good. Verse 2 . Ignorance, pride, and self-flattery render us partial judges respecting our own conduct. Verse 3 . Roll the burden of thy care upon God, and leave it with him, by faith and dependence on him. Verse 4 . God makes use of the wicked to execute righteous vengeance on each other; and he will be glorified by their destruction at last. Verse 5 . Though sinners strengthen themselves and one another, they shall not escape God's judgments. Verse 6 . By the mercy and truth of God in Christ Jesus, the sins of believers are taken away, and the power of sin is broken. Verse 7 . He that has all hearts in his hand, can make a man's enemies to be at peace with him. Verse 8 . A small estate, honestly come by, will turn to better account than a great estate ill-gotten. Verse 9 . If men make God's glory their end, and his will their rule, he will direct their steps by his Spirit and grace. 10. Let kings and judges of the earth be just, and rule in the fear of God. Verse 11 . To observe justice in dealings between man and man is God's appointment. Verse 12 . The ruler that uses his power aright, will find that to be his best security. Verse 13 . Put those in power who know how to ( proverbs 16:14-15 ) the favour of an earthly prince, throw themselves out of God's favour. Verse 16 . There is joy and satisfaction of spirit, only in getting wisdom. Verse 17 . A sincerely religious man keeps at a distance from every appearance of evil. Happy is the man that walks in Christ, and is led by the Spirit of Christ. Verse 18 . When men defy God's judgments, and think themselves far from them, it is a sign they are at the door. Let us not fear the pride of others, but fear pride in ourselves. Verse 19 . Humility, though it exposes to contempt in the world, is much better than high-spiritedness, which makes God an enemy. He that understands God's word shall find good. Verse 21 . The man whose wisdom dwells in his heart, will be found more truly prudent than many who possess shining talents. Verse 22 . As waters to a thirsty land, so is a wise man to his friends and neighbours. Verse 23 . The wise man's self-knowledge, always suggests something proper to be spoken to others. Verse 24 . The word of God cures the diseases that weaken our souls. Verse 25 . This is caution to all, to take heed of deceiving themselves as to their souls. Verse 26 . We must labour for the meat which endureth to everlasting life, or we must perish. ( proverbs 16:27-28 ) be needful to do good. The whisperer separates friends: what a ( proverbs 16:29-30 ) mischief they can by force and violence, and are blind to the result. Verse 31 . Old people especially should be found in the way of religion and godliness. Verse 32 . To overcome our own passions, requires more steady management, than obtaining victory over an enemy. Verse 33 . All the disposal of Providence concerning our affairs, we must look upon to be the determining what we referred to God; and we must be reconciled to them accordingly. Blessed are those that give themselves up to the will of God; for he knows what is good for them.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST KINGS 6

This chapter gives an account of the building of the temple, for which preparations were before made and begins with the time of its building, 1Ki 6:1; gives the dimensions of it and the porch before it, 1Ki 6:2,3; observes the windows in it and chambers about it, 1Ki 6:4-10; and while it was building, Solomon had a word from the Lord relative to it, 1Ki 6:11-14; and then the account goes on concerning the walls of the house, and the flooring of it, 1Ki 6:15-18; and the oracle in it, and the cherubim in that, 1Ki 6:19-30; and the doors into it, and the carved work of them, 1Ki 6:31-36; and the chapter is concluded with observing the time when it was begun and finished 1Ki 6:37,38.